An All-Rounder’s Journey in Connecting and Giving Back | Betty Chung, Swire Trust Go-Givers of 2023
Together with Time Auction, the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program encourages skilled volunteers for Swire Trust NGO partners in education, marine conservation, and arts. From now to 2025. 10 outstanding volunteers will be selected annually as the “Swire Trust Go-Givers of the Year” with special rewards & recognition. Meet our 10 Go-Givers of 2023!
Meet Betty
Betty truly embodies what it means to be an “all-rounder”. Professionally, she’s in marketing and business development for a law firm, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg of who she is! Whether it’s joining a fitness group, doing charity work, or volunteering at a dog shelter, Betty is eager to get involved if it means she can connect with different people and do things for others. “It’s part of my DNA!”
What does someone with her unique combination of skills, experiences, and interests look for in a volunteering opportunity?
“It’s All About Listening and Learning”
Being from Australia, Betty was exposed to several number of charitable organizations that work with the homeless and elderly in Sydney. Through volunteering with these organizations, she was given the opportunity to make genuine connections with people she wouldn’t have met otherwise. “For me, it was priceless to listen and learn about other people's stories, and being able to be exposed to multiple perspectives in life."
When Betty moved to Hong Kong, she decided that she wanted to give everything a try. Compared to Sydney, it’s easy to get involved here because of how dense and connected the city is. And with a platform like Time Auction that facilitates volunteer matching with impactful organizations, she simply couldn’t resist giving it a go.
The Perfect Opportunity
The first time Betty heard about Time Auction was through a friend.
“I was blown away by how [the platform] captured all of these volunteering opportunities! The best part was the ability to filter roles by language. My Chinese skills are limited, so I could easily find opportunities that were English-friendly”.
By selecting the professional skills wished to offer, language preferences, time commitment, and more, Betty discovered the perfect opportunity for her.
“The Community Centre Coordinator role at the CA Centre for Refugees has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. It has provided me with the opportunity to meet extraordinary individuals, including the dedicated employees of the Centre, the hard-working volunteers, and the remarkable clients we serve. I am sincerely grateful to everyone involved for allowing me to be part of their lives, even in a small way."
Going Above and Beyond
As Community Centre Coordinator, Betty was happy to do whatever she could to help the Centre run smoothly day-to-day. Assisting clients with social worker meetings, and greeting people at reception was just the beginning!
Distributing groceries and baby supplies? Done. Helping a client develop their first CV? Done! Washing the dishes? Done and dusted! She also introduced the Centre to her personal connections for potential job opportunities for the clients. Betty truly went above and beyond to provide help for everyone, no matter what their issue was. She personifies a client-focused approach. With an open heart, Betty helped further the Christian Action Centre for Refugees’ mission to create a home-away-from-home for their cherished community.
There was a couple of clients in particular that Betty remembers fondly. Every time they visited, Betty would ask each to teach her a couple of words in Arabic. “I could see their eyes light up, excited to ask what I wanted to learn today.”
This small act of compassion, inviting clients to share a tiny bit of their culture, served as an important reminder of their own ability, the skills they offer, and the value they bring to the community. “It’s very satisfying to know that one very small act of kindness can make such a positive impact in someone else’s life.”
Volunteering is a Two-Way Street
Of course, the CA Centre for Refugees’ existence is made possible because of the collective effort and kindness of many. Working with an amazing team of other awesome volunteers and social workers, Betty found a lot of joy in the volunteering experience.
“Everyone’s positive attitude really rubs off on you. Some of the clients had really tough circumstances and being exposed to different people’s background stories really strengthens you to do more as a person.”
While Betty is incredibly grateful to be named one of the Swire Trust Go-Givers of 2023, it’s not the reason that motivates her to volunteer at all.
“Volunteering is something we all can do. No matter how big or small your act is, you never know how much of an impact it makes. And volunteering doesn’t just help NGOs - it really helps to broaden your own horizons, and helps you further enhance your life skills! Thank you Time Auction for making it easier for people to volunteer!”
Thank you Betty for contributing 96 volunteer hours, with CA Centre for Refugees!
To see details of the Swire Trust Go-Givers Program and support their NGO partners, head over to Time Auction website.
